
is found in the fourth commandment. This only, of all the ten, brings
to view both the name and the title of the Lawgiver. It declares Him
to be the Creator of the heavens and the earth, and thus shows His
claim to reverence and worship above all others. Aside from this pre-
cept, there is nothing in the Decalogue to show by whose authority the
law is given. When the Sabbath was changed by the papal power, the
seal was taken from the law. The disciples of Jesus are called upon
to restore it, by exalting the Sabbath of the fourth commandment to
its rightful position as the Creator's memorial and the sign of His
authority."—"The Great Controversy," pp. 451, 452.
6.
What should be our answer to them that invite us to explore
forbidden paths? Verse 19.
NOTE.—"The belief in communion with the dead is still held, even
in professedly Christian lands. Under the name of Spiritualism, the
practice of communicating with beings claiming to be the spirits of
the departed, has become widespread. It is calculated to take hold of
the sympathies of those who have laid their loved ones in the grave.
Spiritual beings sometimes appear to persons in the form of their
deceased friends, and relate incidents connected with their lives, and
perform acts which they performed while living. In this way they lead
men to believe that their dead friends are angels, hovering over them,
and communicating with them. Those who thus assume to be the
spirits of the departed, are regarded with a certain idolatry, and with
many their word has greater weight than the word of God.
"There are many, however, who regard Spiritualism as a mere
imposture. The manifestations by which it supports its claims to a
supernatural character are attributed to fraud on the part of the
medium. But while it is true that the results of trickery have often
been palmed off as genuine manifestations, there have also been
marked evidences of supernatural power. And many who reject Spirit-
ualism as the result of human skill or cunning, will, when confronted
with manifestations which they can not account for upon this ground,
be led to acknowledge its claims.
"Modern Spiritualism, and the forms of ancient witchcraft and
idol worship,—all having communion with the dead as their vital prin-
ciple,—are founded upon that first lie by which Satan beguiled Eve in
Eden."—"Patriarchs and Prophets," pp. 684, 685. (See Gen. 3:4, 5.)
7.
What standard are we to uphold? Verse 20.
NoTE.—"While conflicting doctrines and theories abound, the law
of God is the one unerring rule by which all opinions, doctrines, and
theories are to be tested."—"The Great Controversy," p. 452.
"But however much one may advance in spiritual life, he will never
come to a point where he will not need diligently to search the Scrip-
tures; for therein are found the evidences of our faith. All points
of doctrine, even though they have been accepted as truth, should be
brought to the law and to the testimony; if they can not stand this
test, 'there is no light in them.' "—"Testimonies," Vol. 5, p. 575.
8.
To what is the remnant likened? Isa. 17:6; 24:13.
NOTE.—These texts bring to view the shaking time. Not very many
will remain after the shaking is done. But those that remain will be
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